In 2 batches, cook ribs (seasoned with salt and pepper) in oil in large skillet on medium-high heat 4 minutes on each side or until browned. Add to slow cooker.

In same skillet cook shallots, carrot, and celery over medium heat
until browned, about 8 minutes. Stir in
tomato paste and thyme and cook about 1 minute.
Stir in wine; bring to a boil and simmer until reduced by half. Add broth, tapioca and bay leaves; bring to a boil, then pour mixture over meat in slow cooker.

Cover and cook
until the meat is very tender, on LOW 8 to 10 hours (HIGH 5 to 6 hours). With a slotted spoon, transfer the ribs to serving bowls with a generous dollop of garlic polenta. Spoon sauce
over polenta and ribs and sprinkle with parsley.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

It doesn't have to be the VP Candidate you plan to vote for - in fact it's often more fun if it isn't. If you are at a party, try assigning candidates randomly to the guests.Take a drink* every time your candidate says anything on his list

Additional drinking opportunities Start the night off with a gimme – Take a drink for each person or organization that your candidate thanks in his opening remarks.If your candidate has any type of numbered or multi-step plan – Take one drink for each number.Each time you see your candidate force an awkward grin or laugh while his opponent is insulting him or disparaging his policies – Take a drink.Here is a perfect fall beverage for the game:Apple Cider SangriaMakes 12 servings

Monday, October 8, 2012

None of this should be taken to imply that the situation is good, or to deny that we should be doing better — a shortfall largely due to the scorched-earth tactics of Republicans, who have blocked any and all efforts to accelerate the pace of recovery. (If the American Jobs Act, proposed by the Obama administration last year, had been passed, the unemployment rate would probably be below 7 percent.) The U.S. economy is still far short of where it should be, and the job market has a long way to go before it makes up the ground lost in the Great Recession. But the employment data do suggest an economy that is slowly healing, an economy in which declining consumer debt burdens and a housing revival have finally put us on the road back to full employment.

And that’s the truth that the right can’t handle.The furor over Friday’s report revealed a political movement that is rooting for American failure, so obsessed with taking down Mr. Obama that good news for the nation’s long-suffering workers drives its members into a blind rage. It also revealed a movement that lives in an intellectual bubble, dealing with uncomfortable reality — whether that reality involves polls or economic data — not just by denying the facts, but by spinning wild conspiracy theories.

It is, quite simply, frightening to think that a movement this deranged wields so much political power.

Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand in pan 5 minutes, then turn out onto wire rack. Serve warm.Tip:You can replace the pecans with walnuts if you like, but be sure to toast them. Toast nuts in the preheated oven on a baking sheet for 5 to 7 minutes, or toast in a shallow microwave-safe dish in microwave for 3 to 4 minutes on HIGH, stirring every 30 seconds.

Combine bread flour, salt and yeast in work bowl of food processor fitted with metal blade. Pulse to combine. In glass measuring cup combine water, 1 Tbsp. oil and honey. With processor running, pour water mixture through feed tube. Run processor 1 minute (after about 15 seconds the dough will come together in a ball and whip around the work bowl). Remove dough from bowl (dough will be sticky) and knead on counter or other hard work surface with a little bit of flour. Stretch into a 6x8-inch rectangle.

Pour remaining oil in 15x10-inch jelly roll pan. Place dough in pan and turn over to coat both sides with oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise 1 hour or until double.

While dough is rising, cook Italian sausage in large skillet until not quite cooked through, about 8 minutes.

Top dough with cheese blend, then dollop with sausage. Top with combined tomatoes, garlic, oregano and half of the pepper. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and remaining pepper. Bake 15 minutes or until edges are golden brown and cheese is melted. Cut with scissors to serve.